Published: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 6:26 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 6:26 p.m.

Georgia-based developer Pace Burt said he is moving forward with plans to convert the century-old former Mayfair Mills facility at 1875 Hayne St. in the Arcadia community into loft apartments.

The project will be Phase 2 of the $8 million, 107-unit Mayfair Mill Loft complex completed about five years ago in the old Bailey plant just up the road at 100 West Cleveland St., Burt said.

Last week, demolition crews began tearing down some of the plant's newer construction that was added in the 1970s in order to restore the mill to its original look when it began production in 1909.

Burt said he expects to begin work on the interior of the building's original 160,000-square-foot shell later this year. Site plans have not been finalized, but the facility could include at least 50 units, a 5,000-square-foot space for the Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg, a gated parking lot and possibly a fitness room, banquet hall or theater room.

“Our first project has been very well received by the community and we felt it was time to do something more,” Burt said. “We're very excited about being a part of Spartanburg and saving an important piece of its history.”

Burt acquired both Mayfair Mill properties from local businessman Jimmy Gibbs in 2005 and started construction about a year and a half later on the Baily plant, built in 1923. He had already developed the old Monaghan Mill in Greenville into the Lofts of Greenville and wanted to have the same success in Spartanburg by blending the county's history with modern urban living.

The mills were founded under Arcadia Cotton Mills and were later renamed after the swanky Mayfair Hotel in London after the company was sold in 1934.

In 1947, Frederick Dent, who served in the presidential cabinets of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and as a trade ambassador, arrived at the mill to learn how to ply his trade.

Dent became the mill's president in 1958. Thirty years later, his son, Rick Dent, took over as president and CEO and he became chairman.

By 2001, foreign imports had finally taken their toll and the mill shuttered after the company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It had sat vacant for almost 12 years, and Burt said vandals and vagrants were constantly breaking in.

The mill was one of a handful of old textile properties county officials had recently identified as posing potential safety hazards to their surrounding communities after fires destroyed the Saxon Mill and Butte Knit Plants last year.

The site also was a source of blight, with overgrown weeds and ivy, graffiti and holes in the exterior fence. Like many of its peers, the mill's fate seemed to be either a quick, dramatic death by fire, or a slow and agonizing death by decay.

“That's the thing about these old mills,” Burt said. “They're going to burn to the ground or sit and fall in on themselves while bringing properties (around them) down and basically being a drain on the communities around them. They can be torn down and turned into green space, or they can be redeveloped. The latter option increases the property values and safety of the community. We've seen it happen every time we've done this … Success breeds success.”

Burt said he is working with the county and federal government to get historical property tax credits.

He said the new lofts will be designed a little bit differently than his existing apartments. While they will continue to have the charm of an old Southern cotton mill with exposed brick, pine beams and large windows, the lofts will have more of a New York-style studio apartment feel.

“We really wanted to think outside of the box for this one and come up with something a little bit different,” Burt said. “We also wanted a floor plan that would be accepted by the art community in Spartanburg.”

County Councilman David Britt said the project is a “success story,” showing how a property that was slowly dying and signified a loss for Spartanburg can be turned around. He said he hopes other mill owners will follow suit.

Since Mayfair Mill Lofts opened, a new Dollar General store came to Arcadia and another apartment complex opened near WestGate Mall.

“This is more than just a win-win for Spartanburg County and Pace Burt's group,” Britt said. “It's a win for citizens that live in Arcadia as well. It's a great statement to Fred Dent. It's sad to drive by the Mayfair Mill complex and see it in a state of disrepair. Now, with life being breathed into that mill, it's a great example of how things can be turned around … I think it's going to be a very great asset to that community for years to come.”

Dent, who is now 90 and still lives in Spartanburg, said he is also excited to see Burt's plan for his former mill reach fruition.

“I'm very pleased,” Dent said. “I think it's just wonderful that (Burt) is going to put that facility to use. The apartments (at the Baily plant) have invigorated that community … There's nothing better for Spartanburg than to see old textile mills being put back to use and have them be a benefit to the neighborhoods that surround them and the county as a whole.”

Burt said his company, based in Albany, Ga., has developed properties all over the Southeast. He said he prefers to focus on sites with historic significance near dowtown areas.

Recently, Burt purchased Schuyler Apartments off South Church Street. He said he hopes to eventually renovate the building, creating more living space in downtown.

<p>One of the symbols of Spartanburg County's textile heritage is getting a new lease on life.</p><p>Georgia-based developer Pace Burt said he is moving forward with plans to convert the century-old former Mayfair Mills facility at 1875 Hayne St. in the Arcadia community into loft apartments.</p><p>The project will be Phase 2 of the $8 million, 107-unit Mayfair Mill Loft complex completed about five years ago in the old Bailey plant just up the road at 100 West Cleveland St., Burt said.</p><p>Last week, demolition crews began tearing down some of the plant's newer construction that was added in the 1970s in order to restore the mill to its original look when it began production in 1909.</p><p>Burt said he expects to begin work on the interior of the building's original 160,000-square-foot shell later this year. Site plans have not been finalized, but the facility could include at least 50 units, a 5,000-square-foot space for the Arts Partnership of Greater Spartanburg, a gated parking lot and possibly a fitness room, banquet hall or theater room.</p><p>“Our first project has been very well received by the community and we felt it was time to do something more,” Burt said. “We're very excited about being a part of Spartanburg and saving an important piece of its history.”</p><p>Burt acquired both Mayfair Mill properties from local businessman Jimmy Gibbs in 2005 and started construction about a year and a half later on the Baily plant, built in 1923. He had already developed the old Monaghan Mill in Greenville into the Lofts of Greenville and wanted to have the same success in Spartanburg by blending the county's history with modern urban living.</p><p>The mills were founded under Arcadia Cotton Mills and were later renamed after the swanky Mayfair Hotel in London after the company was sold in 1934.</p><p>In 1947, Frederick Dent, who served in the presidential cabinets of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and as a trade ambassador, arrived at the mill to learn how to ply his trade.</p><p>Dent became the mill's president in 1958. Thirty years later, his son, Rick Dent, took over as president and CEO and he became chairman.</p><p>By 2001, foreign imports had finally taken their toll and the mill shuttered after the company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It had sat vacant for almost 12 years, and Burt said vandals and vagrants were constantly breaking in.</p><p>The mill was one of a handful of old textile properties county officials had recently identified as posing potential safety hazards to their surrounding communities after fires destroyed the Saxon Mill and Butte Knit Plants last year.</p><p>The site also was a source of blight, with overgrown weeds and ivy, graffiti and holes in the exterior fence. Like many of its peers, the mill's fate seemed to be either a quick, dramatic death by fire, or a slow and agonizing death by decay.</p><p>“That's the thing about these old mills,” Burt said. “They're going to burn to the ground or sit and fall in on themselves while bringing properties (around them) down and basically being a drain on the communities around them. They can be torn down and turned into green space, or they can be redeveloped. The latter option increases the property values and safety of the community. We've seen it happen every time we've done this … Success breeds success.”</p><p>Burt said he is working with the county and federal government to get historical property tax credits.</p><p>He said the new lofts will be designed a little bit differently than his existing apartments. While they will continue to have the charm of an old Southern cotton mill with exposed brick, pine beams and large windows, the lofts will have more of a New York-style studio apartment feel.</p><p>“We really wanted to think outside of the box for this one and come up with something a little bit different,” Burt said. “We also wanted a floor plan that would be accepted by the art community in Spartanburg.”</p><p>County Councilman David Britt said the project is a “success story,” showing how a property that was slowly dying and signified a loss for Spartanburg can be turned around. He said he hopes other mill owners will follow suit.</p><p>Since Mayfair Mill Lofts opened, a new Dollar General store came to Arcadia and another apartment complex opened near WestGate Mall.</p><p>“This is more than just a win-win for Spartanburg County and Pace Burt's group,” Britt said. “It's a win for citizens that live in Arcadia as well. It's a great statement to Fred Dent. It's sad to drive by the Mayfair Mill complex and see it in a state of disrepair. Now, with life being breathed into that mill, it's a great example of how things can be turned around … I think it's going to be a very great asset to that community for years to come.”</p><p>Dent, who is now 90 and still lives in Spartanburg, said he is also excited to see Burt's plan for his former mill reach fruition.</p><p>“I'm very pleased,” Dent said. “I think it's just wonderful that (Burt) is going to put that facility to use. The apartments (at the Baily plant) have invigorated that community … There's nothing better for Spartanburg than to see old textile mills being put back to use and have them be a benefit to the neighborhoods that surround them and the county as a whole.”</p><p>Burt said his company, based in Albany, Ga., has developed properties all over the Southeast. He said he prefers to focus on sites with historic significance near dowtown areas.</p><p>Recently, Burt purchased Schuyler Apartments off South Church Street. He said he hopes to eventually renovate the building, creating more living space in downtown.</p><p>For more information, visit: www.mayfairloft.com.</p>